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England Saxcons celebrate their victory in this year's competition
Maori leave Churchill Cup void
26 September 2007, 6:01 pm
By PA Sport
The New Zealand Maori will not compete in the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup after receiving clearance to replace the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Maori won the tournament in 2004 and 2006 and were runners up to the England Saxons this year, but the New Zealand Rugby Union wants them to play more matches at home.

The NZRU's proposal for the Maori to join the Pacific Nations Cup - which features Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A - has been accepted by the International Rugby Board.

The Churchill Cup is a similar development tournament, with the United States and Canada pitched against the A teams from England, Ireland and Scotland.

An announcement on who will replace the Maori in next summer's event is expected to be made as early as next week. Tournament director Terry Burwell said: ``The Maori have been a great asset to the Barclays Churchill Cup over the last few years and we are grateful for their contribution to the growth of rugby in North America.

``We are currently reviewing a number of potential replacement participants.''

The Junior All Blacks won the newly-created Pacific Nations Cup in both 2006 and 2007.

The IRB backed the decision to include the Maori because it would ``enhance the IRB Pacific Nations Cup's highly competitive format''.

NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorensen added: ``The New Zealand Maori game against the touring British and Irish Lions in 2005 was a fantastic occasion as was the team's match against Fiji in Suva that year.  

``We have no doubt that playing in New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands will further enhance New Zealand Maori's iconic status.''

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